THE last person you’d expect to answer your emergency call would be Pobol y Cwm actress Ella Peel.

However, Ella, who is 21 years old and has been a professional actress since she was 9, lives a double life as a firefighter in her hometown of Llandovery.

Ella features on a tense and exciting new series on S4C called Tân which follows the dangerous and busy work of the Mid and West Wales Fire Service.

Ella decided to join the fire service after seeing a poster for the brigade in her local chip shop.

“I enjoy a challenge – and it sounded something I’d like to do! I enjoy keeping busy, and I’m lucky that the brigade is flexible enough to allow me to work on Pobol y Cwm too.”

From the get go, the role of a woman in the fire service is the same as a man but Ella explained that despite her going through the same rigorous training, the public tend to treat her differently.

“I’ve been in several situations where a member of the public has ignored me to speak with a male firefighter instead.

“It’s quite disappointing when a member of the public doubts my ability because I’m a woman.”

As a result of her experiences Ella believes that in order for the stigma surrounding female firefighters to disappear, more women need to be involved.

“Representation is very important so that young girls can see that becoming a firefighter is an option available to them.

“I believe that there’s still some work to do in society before this is accepted as the norm.”

While she may spend a lot of her time filming in Cwmdering she says that the best part of being in the fire brigade is being able to protect the local community of Llandovery.

“Being a firefighter has made me fall in love with my community.

“I’m aware that sometimes I may be called to help someone I know, but I want to help people and I’d rather do that than feel guilty if I couldn’t help.”

Tân will be on S4C on Thursday, September 14 at 6.30pm.